Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard is resigned to leaving the club this summer amid his poor treatment over the past 12 months, BBC Sport reports. Lingard has been a fringe player for the Red Devils this term with just 548 minutes of game time. He is expected to leave when his contract expires in June, and appears unlikely to change his stance.
Incoming boss Erik ten Hag is said to be keen on talking with him, but Lingard has made his mind up to move on, having received false promises from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick this season and has set his sights on playing for another club next season,.
Lingard had a productive loan stint at West Ham United (nine goals and five assists) during the back end of last season, and it was anticipated that he could join the Hammers permanently. However, that was not the case. Solskjaer blocked Lingard’s departure with the assurance of more minutes, but it did not happen before the Norwegian’s sacking in November.
Lingard was once again linked with a January move away from Old Trafford, but he was denied the chance to leave by Rangnick this time, citing the suspension of Mason Greenwood. Similar to Solskjaer, Rangnick talked up more playing time for Lingard. However, the German has mostly preferred to use Anthony Elanga on the right wing over the past few months.
Hence, there are no surprises that Lingard wants to leave at the expiry of his contract. Ten Hag may have different plans for Lingard, but he may prefer a guaranteed role away from United. Newcastle United, AC Milan, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain are in the mix to sign him. Among those, Milan and Juventus seem favourites with Lingard eyeing a move to Serie A.